Workforce development, charter schools receive $10.5M investment

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South Carolina is investing $10.5 million in public charter schools and workforce development, Gov. Henry McMaster’s office said in a news release.

The investment will be made through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief fund.

The S.C. Department of Commerce will receive $1.5 million for the South Carolina Workforce Journey’s Initiative, while charter schools receive $9 million to offset increased enrollment costs as a result of the coronavirus.

“For South Carolina to continue its unprecedented economic growth we must continue to invest in our young people,” McMaster said. “These grants will do just that by providing additional opportunity for our children to go to schools that best fit their needs and by giving our young workers, who were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the resources they need to find jobs right here in South Carolina.”

The charter school funds will be based on the number of students enrolled in brick and mortar and virtual charter schools as of the 135th day of enrollment in the current school year, the release said. Brick and mortar schools will receive approximately $220 per student and virtual charter schools $116 per student.

The SCWJI funds are intended to provide career exploration and job preparation resources for South Carolinians between the ages of 16 and 24 who were impacted by the pandemic. The initiative will target high schools, career and technical education centers, technical colleges and employers. In total, the funds will pay for assessments of 30,000 individuals to measure soft skills and core competencies for entry and mid-skill jobs.

Additionally, commerce will conduct a state and regional labor market data analysis to highlight trends within the job market related to artificial intelligence careers.

The original GEER Fund allocation was a one-time grant funded by monies received through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act passed by Congress and signed into law by former President Donald Trump. South Carolina’s initial GEER Fund allocation was $48 million.

McMaster already has allocated $29.5 million to the following initiatives:

· $4,913,000 to the Department of Social Services for educational needs of foster care children and youth in group homes

· $8,000,000 to SC Technical College System for short-term training programs

· $5,000,0000 to Office of First Steps to School Readiness for expanded day or summer programs for four-year-olds eligible for the full-day 4K program

· $2,000,000 to the SC Department of Education for expanded day or summer programs for four-year-olds eligible for the full-day 4K program

· $6,000,000 to the University of South Carolina for 8 regional computer labs.